Youth Collaborative Update

Last year, the Takoma Foundation found a way to deepen our mission to support the area’s underserved youth by committing to a long-term supporting relationship with the Takoma Park Youth Collaborative.

The Collaborative is an organization-of-organizations, which work together to provide life skills and workforce readiness training for local youth, ages 12 to 24. Participants include Making a New United People (MANUP), Identity, Gandhi Brigade Youth Media, the Takoma Park Recreation Department, Montgomery College, Washington Adventist University, Enactus, and local businesses.

This spring, the Collaborative completed its Workforce Readiness Program, which taught skills such as online job searches, writing resumes, and etiquette. Seven participants were referred for summer and/or long-term jobs.

Next, the Collaborative is getting ready to present a 10-week Entrepreneurial Program, which will begin in October. In addition to teaching entrepreneurial skills, it will help youth with college preparation and financial literacy. This program will complement the Collaborative's very popular "college exposure" visits to colleges and universities.

The Foundation has provided (and will continue to provide) funding to support the Collaborative, and our Board members have participated in activities sponsored by the Collaborative.